One of the foremost things you have to consider when learning how to design a home office is eliminating distractions. That alone will help with time management, but you also have to consider how comfortable you will be while working there. For that, you’ll have to consider ergonomics and productivity tools, which can be as simple as desk organizers.
What You Need to Know Before You Design a Home Office
Designing a home workspace involves more than placing a desk and setting up a monitor, and a keyboard. That might work, to a certain degree, if you only work on word processing tools. But if you do serious work, like programming, video editing, photography, etc., things as simple as lighting and the home office colors are crucial.
Here are a few things to consider in your home office planning:
- Space evaluation: Getting a separate room is the ideal approach, but you can also work with a small corner.
- Measuring room dimensions: The next step is to actually measure the room. These measurements will be essential for the home office furniture.
- Natural light sources: Natural light sources might illuminate your space during the day, but have little use at night. For the latter, you’ll have to pick a desk lamp or other electrical lights.
- Noise levels: Things to consider here include sounds from the TV, street traffic, and even echoes from the room acoustics. The latter is crucial if you are a remote worker who will be taking video or conference calls regularly.
- Storage potential: These could be shelves, drawers, trolleys, etc. You’ll have to find the one that best fits your space.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Design a Home Office
Working from home has become mainstream among the global workforce. In 2023, the remote work statistics indicated that 67% of tech employees globally worked from home.
The growing number of remote workers has made home office setups evolve from a simple laptop layout to those with multiple monitors, cameras, and even studio grid lights. One key reason for that is the need to maximize productivity and stay competitive in the remote job market. And yes, many companies will ask about your home office layout before hiring you.
If you are designing your home workspace for the first time or want to redesign your existing space, here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Choose the Right Room or Corner for the Home Office
Whether you pick a room or a corner, the first thing is to pick a space that is free of typical home distractions. Small office home ideas work best in corners. But if you have a room to yourself, that will be best.
Lofts and basements can also suffice. However, they should have ample space to fit an ergonomic setup, as that often needs more space than regular setups.
If you have the means, we will recommend that you take the nature and biophilic design approach. This will involve picking a room with French windows or double doors that open up to the landscape outside. It’ll help avoid the cramped feeling that comes with interior rooms or corners.
Step 2: Build Your Layout
We always recommend starting with the desk placement, as that is often the largest piece of furniture in the space. With the desk placed, you can bring in your ergonomic chair into the setup.
Once you are through with the desk and chair placement, the next design step is to place your storage. Ensure the storage solutions you pick promote ergonomics and well-being. One way to do that is to get storage solutions that are within reach when you sit or stand to work. These could be drawers added to the desk or standalone options. You can also use desk organizers for frequently used items like pens, markers, notepads, etc.
Consider the traffic path as well for your home office layout. If you use a separate room, simply consider your movement into and out of the room and ensure that the path stays free.
Step 3: Select the Right Desk & Chair
When going for a desk design for your office furniture, opt for those with adjustable heights. That way, you can alternate between standing and sitting.
It’s not advisable to sit for long hours. Multiple research studies, including the National Library of Medicine, have associated that with lower back pain, and we don’t want that for you.
Most adjustable work tables can go from as little as 22 inches to 50 inches tall. But if an adjustable desk would be too expensive, you can go with a two-desk setup. One desk will be for sitting, while the other will be a standing desk.
When it comes to chair selection, it isn’t about the most expensive or even the highest-rated option. Instead, you have to select a chair that fits your body measurements and proportions.
A few crucial features that should be available include
- A seat slide to adjust the depth
- 4D armrests that allow you to move the height, width, depth, and pivot
- Lumber support (adjustable)
As for the materials, your choice should depend on the room temperature. If you have an air conditioning system, you will be fine with leather, which is also durable and easy to clean. But if you have natural ventilation (windows), mesh materials are the best, as they have excellent airflow. They also stay cool and offer a springy feel. But note that they can scratch or sag over time.
Lighting Strategy
When it comes to lighting design, your goal should be to eliminate eye strain. The light should also adapt to your focus during the day or at night. And one way you can do that is to use a layered lighting approach that includes the following:
- The ambient light: This provides the general illumination. You can use a large floor lamp that bounces light off the ceiling or recessed LED downlights.
- The task light: Task lighting is essential for your workspace and should be placed on the opposite side of your dominant hand to eliminate shadows when writing.
- Accent lights: This final step adds texture to your room. An example is placing an LED light behind your monitor to reduce the contrast when you look at the screen and when you look at the wall.
We recommend adjustable LED lighting solutions. That way, you can vary the color temperature from cool in the morning to warm in the evenings or at night.
Storage + Organization
Shelves and drawers are the most common storage designs when it comes to having an ergonomic setup. For shelving, we recommend you divide the space into zones.
The first zone should be within arm’s reach. You can use floating shelves above your monitor to place essentials like headphones or notebooks. The next zone should be at shoulder height when you stand. You can place reference materials, books, and tools that you don’t use frequently.
Cable management is another crucial aspect in your home office design & layout. You can mount a heavy-duty surge protector under the desk to plug in your devices. This approach will prevent cables from dangling down from the desk.
Personalization & Branding
Colors, inspiration walls, and artworks are inspirational tools that promote workflow. They complement your ergonomic setup by providing psychological motivation.
For colors, we recommend having both active and passive hues. Blues and greens can promote calm and stability, while pop colors like muted gold can stimulate creativity. The colors should provide a professional feel, even though it is in a work-from-home context.
An inspirational wall in your home workspace can provide a visual reminder of your career goals. You can include things like mission statements, milestones, and industry-specific references like quotes from famous people. Certificates, testimonials, and reviews can also serve to remind you of how far you’ve gone.
The last part in personalizing your home workspace is including artworks that highlight your professional brand and values. You can pick pictures, sculptures, or other art types.
Home Office Layout Examples
A few approaches you can take for your home office layout ideas are as follows:
- A single-wall desk layout
- Corner workstation
- Floating desk wall
- Dual monitor layout
Floating desk designs offer a minimalistic look to the home office, especially with the absence of table legs. We would recommend them in a small home office design, where you have to place your desk against the wall. If you don’t want a permanent setup, you can make the desk collapsible to add more space when you are not working.
Corner workstations bring the flexibility of setting up against two walls. Also, you can effortlessly set up two workstations to handle different tasks.
Best Colors and Design Themes for a Home Workspace
Colors can make or mar your style. The few recommendations we can make include the following:
- Minimalist: If you choose this route, you will lower visual noise, lower your cognitive load, and increase concentration. The warm white color option is the most ideal for this style or theme.
- Warm wood: Adding wood or timber can prevent your minimalistic space from feeling cold or uninviting. To go even further, you can use matte finishes on the walls to absorb light.
- Scandinavian design style: This approach maximizes the use of natural light instead of focusing on electrical lighting sources. And you will have to include high contrasts in your design space, like a black metal lamp stand.
Other approaches you can use in the design include industrial, modern, and biophilic. For the biophilic option, you will have to integrate living elements like plants into the design.
Ergonomics: The Core of Any Well-Designed Home Office
An ergonomic home office design promotes a neutral posture, whether you are standing or sitting. Neutral postures will minimize the stress on your muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones.
The best approach for an ergonomic desk setup is to adjust your chair first. Things to adjust on your chair include:
- The seat height (your knees should be between 90 degrees and 100 degrees)
- The lumbar support
- Armrests
Once your seat is set, you can then adjust the height of the desk. Like your knees, your elbows should be bent at 90 degrees when placed on the table. This angle will keep your wrists straight or neutral when typing or using the mouse.
Then, for the monitor, we recommend you keep it at your eye line. The top third of the screen should be at your eye level. As for the distance, we recommend you keep it at an arm’s length.
Technology Setup that Makes Work Easier
The technology in your workspace design will depend primarily on the kind of work you do. For example, you may be fine with a simple webcam if you don’t take video calls much. But if you regularly have to take video calls, you’ll have to include a high-quality webcam or even a camera in your remote work setup.
You can place the webcam on the monitor or place it on the opposite side of your dominant arm. The same goes for the external microphone, if you have that as well.
Soundproofing will also be necessary if you take calls regularly. Simple things you can do include treating your walls or sealing air gaps on your doors.
Fast Wi-Fi is also crucial for stable connections. You can also add a power station as a backup power supply for your home office tech.
For keyboards and mice, choose ergonomic options. Ensure the keyboard is backlit to make typing at night easier.
Budget Home Office Design Tips
If you just landed a remote job, you should get quality equipment for your home workspace. You can use your own funds or get a loan to set up your space and ensure you deliver efficiently to protect your job. But if you are setting up on your own, with no pressure for high-end equipment, you can take the budget route as shown below:
- Opt for DIY shelves to save the cost of hiring professional services
- Buy second-hand furniture for the table and chair
- Paint the room walls
- Use white t-shirts to diffuse harsh lights
- Get USB-powered light strips
Cheap design ideas, like what we’ve mentioned above, can get you off your feet. Then, you can upgrade as you grow.
Mistakes to Avoid When Designing a Home Office
Here are a few mistakes to avoid when setting up your home workspace:
- Do not pick fashionable items over function
- Poor lighting setups that rely on harsh lights or natural light alone
- Chairs that do not fit your body type
- Poor cable management
- Placing your desk in a high-traffic zone
FAQ Section
What is the ideal size for a home office?
The size depends on your work needs and the space you have to work with. Always ensure there is ample space for foot traffic when getting in or out of the home office.
How do I design a home office in a small space?
A floating desk will give you a feeling of more space. Also, go with vertical shelves to maximize the height of the space or room.
What is the most important feature in a home office?
To a large degree, the most important feature is subjective and depends on your needs. But the foundation of your home office is your chair.
Do colors affect productivity?
Yes, colors affect productivity. Some colors, like blue, promote a calm feel, while some, like muted gold, promote creativity.
What is the best lighting for a home office?
Use a mix of natural and electrical lights. LEDs are also handy for changing color tones. Nonetheless, ensure you have three lighting layers beginning with the ambient light and ending with your task light.
Recommended Tools & Resources
When learning how to design your workspace, a few home office design tools that we can recommend include:
- Virtual room planners
- Mood boards with Pinterest
- Ergonomic calculators
- Interior design blogs
How to Design a Home Office—Final Thoughts
Your home office should be where you are productive. It should be comfortable whether you are sitting or standing, and your essential tools should be at arm’s length.
With our guide on how to design a home office, you can start setting yours up. And ensure you plan the space on paper with sketches and personalize it with artwork and inspiration walls.